Hurricane Irene damages Blue grillhouse

Weekend storm causes havoc in Lehigh Valley's retail world.

Flooding damage caused by Hurricane Irene has forced the closure of Blue… (DONNA FISHER/TMC, THE MORNING…)

September 03, 2011|Retail Watch | Scanning the Storefronts

Hurricane Irene really put the Lehigh Valley's retail world into a tailspin, forcing merchants with no power to shut doors, and now I'm sure scores are wishing they could get a do-over on the critical back-to-school shopping weekend.

The storm dumped nearly 6 inches of rain in the region, swelling many waterways, including the detention pond behind Bluegrillhouse. The popular Bethlehem Township eatery will be shuttered for a few months for repairs and renovations, its owner said Wednesday.

George Paxos said that the pond behind the building overflowed its banks and sent water into the restaurant. Paxos plans to reopen Blue in November after a top-to-bottom renovation that includes new floors, walls, changes to the entranceway and adding the addition of an outdoor bar.

"I had planned on doing a complete renovation for awhile, but the water damage from Hurricane Irene expedited my decision," said Paxos, who also owns Melt in the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley.

Blue, which opened in 2002, is an upscale, 220-seat grillhouse and wine bar that touts a 300-bottle wine list.

Blue's event facility, Candlelight, will remain open, but also will undergo a renovation in early 2012, Paxos added.

One interesting tidbit: Paxos said he's no longer involved in the long-delayed redevelopment of the former First United Church of Christ on Fourth Street in south Bethlehem. Paxos and Bethlehem lawyer Dennis Benner announced in 2008 that they would convert the then 138-year-old church into a restaurant and lounge.

Benner said Thursday that he and his two sons are still moving forward with the project, but some issues have to be resolved before it can come to fruition, chiefly the economic malaise and parking.

Either way, he offered some assurance: "I'm absolutely going to do it," Benner said.

One delayed Christmas City project that's moving forward is Molly Brannigans Irish pub in the former Farr shoe building at the corner of Broad and New streets. I didn't believe it until I saw construction workers busy inside the long-vacant building. There's also been talk about adding apartments to the higher floors.

Efforts to reach officials at Molly Brannigans Erie headquarters were unsuccessful. The chain has pubs in Erie, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.

The Molly Brannigans saga has been echoing in Retail Watch since before my tenure started in 2008. Readers consistently ask about it, perhaps with the same frequency as questions about rumors of Cheesecake Factory coming to the Valley. And no, the cheesecake chain hasn't confirmed anything.

A recent fire has closed Maryland Fried Chicken at 2158 Stefko Blvd. until next year.

Fire crews battled a fire at the restaurant on July 26, which started in the deep fryers, fire Deputy Commissioner Robert Novatnack said Wednesday. The blaze, which investigators ruled accidental, damaged the restaurant's roof and caused extensive damage to the building, Novatnack added.

The business has been closed since then. Manager Matt Matula said the Stefko Boulevard location should be reopened by January. Maryland Fried Chicken also has a location inPalmer Township.

In other retail news:

• A franchise for Firehouse Subs opens soon next to Zoup in the Airport Center shopping in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. This appears to be the only local franchise for the Jacksonville, Fla., sub chain founded by firefighters in 1994. Firehouse Subs has 440 locations throughout the country, including a restaurant in Reading, according to its website.

The Valley's sandwich chain front seems to be getting heartier in recent months, after hemorrhaging Quiznos restaurants in recent years. Like Firehouse Subs, Primoo Hoagies on Cedar Crest Boulevard in South Whitehall Township offers a bit of selection among our burgeoning sea of Subway restaurants.

Rollie's Ice Cream, one of the Lehigh Valley's frozen treats institutions, recently closed its store in the shopping center at 3690 Lehigh St., Whitehall Township, after 25 years. A letter taped to the front door diverts would-be customers to the Rollie's location at Routes 309 and 100 inNew Tripoli.

Meineke Car Care Center will be moving into the former Blockbuster Video location on Chestnut Street in Emmaus, according to Derek Zerfass of Colliers International, the real estate firm involved in the deal.

Meineke has at least eight locations in the Valley.

Supercuts is the first merchant announced for the new building being constructed in the Kmart shopping center on Route 191 in Bethlehem Township. This gives Supercuts its sixth location in the region.

Bixler's Jewelers recently moved its Whitehall Township location to The Shops at 3900 Hamilton Boulevard in South Whitehall Township.

Officials said the new space provides more parking and modern upgrades. Bixler's made headlines in 2009 when, after two centuries of business, it announced the closing of its downtown Easton store.

"We have sold or closed all seven of our remaining Superpetz stores," Curtin said. "We are exiting the pet-supply business and will now focus on our core business of food retailing."

Petco now has five stores in the Valley.

Retail Watch keeps track of new store, restaurant and bank development in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question about a retail construction project, a store opening or a chain you'd like to see come to the area? Call business reporter Tyrone Richardson at 610-820-6779, or email retailwatch@mcall.com. Retail Watch appears every Sunday.